I found the packaging for the TL1 to be clean and classy; nothing awe-inspiring but definitely not cheap looking or feeling.
Voice Caddie does a nice job of making it apparent on their packaging that they are the official rangefinder of the LPGA. That’s a point worth bragging about, and I will say that it inspired a feeling of confidence in me. If it’s good enough for some of the best players on the planet, surely it’s good enough for me.
Upon opening the box, I was struck by the simple beauty of the device itself. The design is very clean and understated in a way that suggests quality. It doesn’t look glitzy or flashy, but it does look substantial and somewhat luxurious.
Picking up the device is when the real connection with quality resonated with me. This is the first rangefinder I’ve held that rivaled the heft and feeling of legitimacy you get in a Bushnell rangefinder. To me, Bushnell rangefinders have stood far and above the others in terms of a feeling of quality. Many competing brands feel too light, small, and cheap by comparison. The TL1 is on that same Bushnell level of quality.
Personally, I’m not a fan of the TL1 carrying pouch. It’s too large and clunky for my taste. It takes up too much space in my golf bag. The pouch doesn’t even provide a full enclosure around the device, instead leaving the rangefinder exposed on the top left and right corners when the pouch flap is closed.
Bushnell’s carrying cases are far superior and, to me, continue to set the standard. But I’d even prefer a cheaper-feeling canvas case, like with the Nikon COOLSHOT PROII STABILIZED. At least that case closes all the way and isn’t so bulky.
The Voice Caddie TL1 rangefinder comes with a high-quality carabiner, a nice and useful addition, and with a microfiber cleaning cloth.
You also get a silicone sleeve that fits over the device to provide additional protection. I think this is a genius addition. It doesn’t add any weight, and ergonomically, it makes the device fit perfectly, at least in my hand. I don’t see why you’d ever remove the protective sleeve.
The default protective sleeve color is a bright yellow, which I love. Why? Because anyone who’s ever owned a rangefinder has experienced the nightmare of losing it in the dark storage recesses of a cart. To me, the bright yellow makes it easier to notice your rangefinder and, therefore, harder to lose.
Additional protective sleeve colors are available for purchase.
I will say that I think over time, the silicone sleeve will get dirty. I haven’t experimented with how well or easily it might clean up.
So, aside from the carrying pouch, my first impression of the TL1 was that this thing is a high-quality rangefinder. And that’s what you should expect in a device at this price point.